A Night to Remember

By Danny Pelfrey and Wanda Pelfrey

Riley Gordan is back in Adairsville, Georgia anticipating a leisurely vacation from the rigors of law school with her college friend, Trish. Then, as part of a political plot, one of her Sunday School girls is kidnapped. Stumbling upon the abduction, Riley and her friends are drawn headfirst into a search for the girl.

Their probe leads them into a fast paced and dangerous string of encounters that include a Neanderthal named Houston, searches in some of the most hazardous places in North Georgia, a green Kia Soul, an old man with a big gun, and ultimately murder.

It is an adventure that provides some unusual twists and turns and is highlighted by a beautiful relationship between an old baseball player entering politics and a spunky adolescent who are jointly known around town as "Nate and The Kid."

• Language: English
• Publisher: CrossLink Publishing
• Release date: Sep 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201727291

Book preview

A Night to Remember

An Adairsville Heritage Mystery

Danny and Wanda Pelfrey

CrossLink Publishing

RAPID CITY, SD

Copyright © 2022 by Danny and Wanda Pelfrey.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Pelfrey/CrossLink Publishing

1601 Mt Rushmore Rd. Ste 3288

Rapid City, SD 57701

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A Night to Remember/Danny and Wanda Pelfrey. —1st ed.

CHAPTER 1

D o you think of Nate as a grandfather or, perhaps, uncle? the interviewer asked.

No, not really, Kaylene answered without hesitation. I have three uncles and, thank God, I still have one of my grandfathers. Nate is just Nate. He doesn’t replace anybody. He’s just always been part of our lives.

Riley was glad that Kaylene, one of the girls from the Sunday school class she taught, had asked her to stand in for her working mother and accompany her to this interview at the Maggie Mae Tea room. She too was curious to learn the story behind Kaylene and her family’s friendship with Old Nate Bannister.

Riley had learned shortly after arriving in town that Old Nate had retired from a long and successful baseball career more than thirty-five years earlier; he was as close as Adairsville had to a celebrity. From time to time, she had seen him and Kaylene walking down Main Street—Nate and the Kid, as they were known by friends and family. The Kid was usually talking a mile a minute with a soft drink or candy bar in one hand, while the burly old man moved slowly, his posture straight as an arrow and his attention focused straight ahead, apparently ignoring the babbling kid at his side.

Riley and Kaylene were here today because the county commissioner’s life had recently come to an untimely end. Nate, to almost everyone’s surprise, decided to throw his hat into the ring. Despite his age and lack of previous experience in politics he had respect and name recognition, so he had to be considered a serious candidate. Susan, the young reporter from the Daily Times in Cartersville, had learned of the Nate and the Kid angle and thought it might be an interesting twist for her upcoming article.

Tell me about how your family first became friends with Nate, the reporter requested.

Nate bought the farm while still playin’ baseball. He hired my dad to run it. They worked together in the off-season, mostly raisin’ cattle, chickens, hay, and sometimes corn. Mom and Daddy lived in the little house where Nate lives now. My two brothers were both born while they were there. Then Nate retired from baseball and later, when his wife passed, he got bored with farmin’. Mama has always said he practically gave Daddy the farm. My parents and brothers moved into the big house where Nate lived. He moved into the little house. That’s the way it’s been ever since. First my sister, Ella, came along and then me; that was after Mom and Daddy were in the bigger house. We’ve been neighbors, friends, and, I guess, family with Nate through all those years.

Riley turned when she heard the jingle of dishes being gathered for removal from a nearby table. A middle-aged lady in a blue apron smiled at her. Anything I can do for you? the waitress asked.

We’re fine, Susan called back before looking at Kaylene. How did you personally get to be so close to Nate?

Kaylene looked upward and held her mouth tight for a few moments. My mama always said it started when I was a newborn. She said I was a colicky baby and Nate was the only one who could get me to calm down. I guess there has been a bond between us ever since. As far back as I can remember, I followed him around when he helped Daddy on the farm, doin’ the things that must be done on a little farm like ours. From the beginnin’ he called me the Kid and now just about everybody but my friends at school have picked that up.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a nurse. When I was six years old, Nate opened my nursin’ school account at the bank and has been addin’ to it ever since.

Did Nate and Mrs. Bannister have children? Susan asked.

Well, yes they did. They had a little girl, but she died when she was two years old. That’s what Mama and Daddy told me, but I’ve never heard Nate talk about her. I don’t know, but maybe I sort of took her place.

Back when you were a little girl following Nate around on the farm, did you know he had been a big baseball star?

Kaylene cleared her throat before answering. I don’t think I did at first. But then I noticed men always wanted to talk baseball with him. Maybe I picked up on how famous he was when I started listenin’ and askin’ him a lot of questions about it. Daddy says those sports writers are crazy for not puttin’ him in the Hall of Fame. Kaylene raised her voice. He won 247 games, you know, and that was while playin’ with three teams at the bottom of the standings. He’ll go in some day when that veterans’ committee finally come to their senses, she declared with conviction.

How do you feel about Nate possibly becoming county commissioner?

Daddy says he’s out of his mind to take on all that aggravation, but Nate thinks somebody needs to step in to protect people’s rights. If that’s what Nate wants to do, then I’m all for it. He’s a good Christian man who cares about people.

Riley was impressed with how her little friend was handling the interview. She felt almost ashamed that before today, she had silently questioned the uncommon relationship of the twelve-year-old girl and the old baseball player. After listening to Kaylene speak of it, she understood their alliance in a different light. Obviously, it was the kind of family bond that only occasionally develops between two people not connected by blood, but by circumstance. There was certainly nothing improper about what Nate and the Kid had. Previously, she had wondered why no one seemed to have reservations about such an unusual friendship. Now she knew. It was simple: the town knew Nate and the Kid well. She, being relatively new, did not—until today.

The interview lasted for another half hour. Before it ended, Kaylene had both Riley and Susan in stiches by telling hilarious stories of her family’s life with Nate. Riley was sure the old man would just about die of embarrassment if any of Kaylene’s tales ended up in print: like the account of his being chased by an angry bull or the story about his backing his car through a stuck garage door when he was late for an appointment. Her own impression of Nate as a humorless, dignified old man obviously had been totally inaccurate.

What a unique and delightful bond the two characters at different ends of life’s cycle shared. Riley was grateful for the rare opportunity to see into the life of one of her favorite Bible school students.

She drove Kaylene to her family’s farm after the interview. The twelve-year-old stayed in character all the way home and didn’t stop babbling until they arrived at the farm. Sam Boynton, a lean, middle-aged man with dark skin that was obviously the result of long hours outside, greeted them in front of the big farmhouse. How did it go, Kid? he asked his daughter.

It was fun, Daddy. She’s a nice lady. She said we should be sure to get a paper on Friday. He turned to Riley. Sorry we had to call on you to escort Kaylene, but Wilma couldn’t get off from work, and I was needed around here. There wasn’t much doubt about who she wanted us to ask. Yours was the only name she mentioned. She surely does admire you!

I was glad to do it. It gave me the opportunity to get to know Kaylene better. You would’ve been proud of the way she handled the interview. She’s a special gal.

I’ve known that for a long time, Boynton remarked as he used one arm to pull Kaylene close to him. Now, young lady, you need to go into the house and change so you can help me with some chores in the barn. Thank you for your help today, Miss Riley. You’ve been a blessing to us.

Riley thoroughly enjoyed the rural scenery on the five-mile trip back to town. Having grown up in the greater Boston area, she had not experienced a great deal of what the rural South had to offer. She would always be grateful for what Uncle James had done for her. In his generosity, not only had he left enough money for her to complete her education, but he had also left her and her brother Kirby a church building converted to a living space that had become her home for the past year. Throughout the school year, she often drove the seventy miles from Emory Law School in Atlanta to spend her weekends there. Now she would have almost three months of rest and relaxation in the little town that her deceased mother and father had so loved. That would be made even better in a couple of weeks when her brother would join her permanently in the quaint little hamlet. She had not tried to influence his decision, but she could not be happier that he had finally chosen to give up his position with the St. Petersburg, Florida police department to oversee the family businesses.

On top of that, her favorite friend from her time at Boston College was traveling to Florida to visit a mutual friend and would be arriving that evening to spend a few days with Riley. Trish Banks had decided to drive from her native Massachusetts rather than fly. Riley wondered how Trish really felt about flying and laughed to herself as a couple of Trish’s ridiculous phobias crossed her mind. How could she forget climbing up twenty-five flights of stairs in a New York building because Trish didn’t trust the elevator, or the night they got no sleep during an exam week because she thought she saw a spider? It would, no doubt, be an interesting few days with her peculiar, but lovable, friend.

Before going back to her living quarters, Riley decided to go by the office to visit with Connie Reece. Connie had been selected to serve as the administrator of the extensive business interests that Riley and Kirby had inherited from their Uncle James almost a year earlier. Gradually, Connie had assumed most of the responsibilities from the semi-retired Amos Edwards for managing the Gordans’ hardware stores, lumber yards, apartments, rental houses, investments, management properties, and other concerns. Keeping it all finely tuned was a big job, and the vivacious Connie did it well, especially for one so young. She was also Kirby’s on-and-off-again girlfriend. Presently their romantic relationship appeared to be somewhere between on and off. That didn’t affect the couple’s working relationship, and it didn’t alter her and Riley’s friendship; in fact, she had grown to consider Connie her best friend. Now that Kirby would be a full-time resident of Adairsville, she hoped the two would work through their little love spats. A late fall wedding would be delightful, she decided.

When Connie was hired, she, Kirby, and Amos had decided to put her office on the second floor of a building Uncle James had purchased in the middle of Public Square. Prior to that most of the work had been done out of the revamped church building where Riley was currently living. Amos and Carol had living quarters along with separate units for Riley and Kirby. She loved living in the same building with Amos and Carol who had become sort of surrogate parents for both her and her brother.

As usual, Riley found Connie hard at work at her computer. It’s time to take a break, girl, Riley called out as she entered the office.

If you say so, Connie responded. You’re the boss.

I wish you would tell Kirby and Amos that. They think I should take my monthly check, study hard and leave business to you guys. Just a pretty face, you know.

I’ve got a feelin’ that when you finish law school, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to do your share.

That’s still two years away. I’m going to have a lot of catching up to do. I assume we’re still on for tomorrow night? Riley said while looking out a window to watch several people visiting in front of the old railroad depot. I can hardly wait for you to meet Trish. She’s a riot! I just know the two of you are going to be fast friends. I think we’ll go to the Adairsville Inn. Need to introduce Trish to some of our local color.

Sounds great to me. Do you have dates lined up for all of us? I haven’t been out with a date in several weeks.

I’m sure that will be rectified when Kirby gets here, Riley smiled.

I don’t know, Connie said. I haven’t heard from him in several days. He’s probably spendin’ all his time on the beach with some Florida babe.

You know better than that. He has eyes for only you. If I know my brother, he’s probably spending eighteen hours a day trying to wind up every unsolved case he’s had down there.

Incidentally, would you tell Amos I received a report from a neighbor that someone has been seen the last couple of days out at that old, dilapidated house that sits on the edge of the woods? You know the one I’m talkin’ about. It sits on the property y’all own on Snow Spring Road. I don’t think there’s much chance of anyone doing any damage unless they set it on fire and ignite a forest fire, but somebody could get hurt on the premises. And since it’s so isolated, you never know what’s going on out there. I think we ought to tear that place down.

I’ll deliver your message when I get home, and I’ll tell Amos you suggested we get a demolition crew in there sometime soon.

The two ladies drew glances from several men on the street as they headed downstairs to the General Store and Mercantile Cafe for a tea break. Skylar, the friendly young waitress, there alone during the mid-afternoon lull, hurried to their table to take their order for two ginger peach teas, which were quickly delivered.

After leaving the café, Connie returned to the office while Riley headed for her car and drove home. When she saw Amos’s pickup sitting in the driveway, she decided to deliver Connie’s message before she forgot. How was the interview? Amos asked when after hearing her knock, he opened the door to see her standing there.

It was an interesting experience. Kaylene is a sharp little girl, and she sure does love old Nate.

Always has, Amos replied. They’ve been inseparable about as long as she’s been able to walk.

I stopped by to visit with Connie. She told me to tell you a neighbor spotted someone hanging around that old house on our property just off Snow Spring Road. She suggested you might want to check it out. She also expressed her opinion that the house probably should be demolished.

I’ll investigate it. How do you feel about tearing down the old place? Amos asked.

Pleased that Amos had asked her opinion concerning a business matter, after a moment, she answered, It serves no purpose. Well past restoring, I suspect. If it doesn’t have any historical significance, let’s remove it before it becomes a problem.

I think you’re right. Tomorrow, I’ll see if Bill can go out there with me. Maybe he and his boys can do the job. Bill, Juan, and Jessie were the workers who comprised the Cleaning Crew, a branch of their business that handled maintenance and such. All of them, along with their families, had been homeless before being discovered last summer by Riley and Kirby. Now they were not only employees, but good friends as well.

Riley crossed the hallway on the second floor of the former church to enter her own apartment. With Trish due to arrive tonight, she decided to inspect her little guestroom one last time. She wanted everything to be just right for her guest.

Trish had been more than just one of her college friends: they were roommates for their last two years in college. Riley had even spent the summer between her junior and senior years at Boston College with Trish’s family in their big house near the Massachusetts coastline. She had often talked with Trish over the past year, but had not seen her since she and Kirby had first come to Adairsville to settle their uncle’s estate. They had expected to be there less than a month, but had been captivated by the hills of northern Georgia and their delightful people. Adairsville had become home for her, and, even though she had a hard time reading her complicated brother, she thought it had for him as well.

It was almost six o’clock when Riley laid down her book, went to the kitchen to make a sandwich, and brought it back to her sitting room along with a few chips and a diet coke. She gave her attention to the news on TV while munching her not-so-healthy dinner. After a few minutes, she thought she heard a car entering the drive. Then she heard a horn, and she knew immediately it was the unconventional Trish announcing her arrival. She ran down the stairs and through the door to find Trish standing beside the open car door. Trish immediately started running toward her with arms outstretched. As they embraced for a big hug, Trish began squealing and talking a mile a minute, all at the same time. Riley could do nothing but weep with joy.

CHAPTER 2

A man with slicked back hair and pricey workout garb was riding one of the gym’s stationary bikes when his phone rang. He checked the screen, then dismounted the bike and moved into a corner of the room where his call could not be overheard. Yes, he answered, keeping his shrewd, clear voice low.

This is Houston! The voice on the other end of the line was just the opposite—raspy and boisterous. Is this the boss?

Yes, you clown, this is the boss. What’s going on? I told you, unless there was a real problem, you were to wait for my calls each evening.

I reckoned you would want a report on where we are with our project. We’ve got the kid.

What kid? The boss inadvertently raised his voice. He checked the room to make sure no one had heard him.

The little girl that hangs with the old man. We’ve got her tied up right here in this old house in the woods where we’ve been stayin’. My old lady is keepin’ close tabs on her.

You fool, I said nothing about kidnapping a kid. I told you I wanted you to make sure the old man would not be in the election.

"That’s what we’re doin’. I’ve already used the kid’s